Reference Values for Pediatric Atrial Volumes Assessed by Steady-State Free-Precession Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Monoplane and Biplane Area-Length Methods

Field strength/sequence
A 1.5 T; balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence.

Assessment

The monoplane and biplane area-length methods were used to measure minimal and maximal left and right atrial volumes (LA_min , LA_max , RA_min , and RA_max ) from four-chamber (4ch) and two-chamber (2ch) MR cine images. Centile charts and tables for atrial volumes were created.

Statistical tests

Descriptive statistics, lambda-mu-sigma (LMS)-method of Cole and Green, univariable and multivariable linear regression models. A P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In the multivariable linear model, body surface area was significantly associated with all atrial volumes and sex was significantly associated with RA volumes, LA volumes measured in the 2ch-view as well as biplane LA_max. Average atrial volumes measured: monoplane 4ch: LA_min 13.1 ± 4.8 mL/m² , LA_max 33.4 ± 8.8 mL/m² , RA_min 18.5 ± 6.8 mL/m² , RA_max 33.2 ± 9.6 mL/m² ; monoplane 2ch: LA_min 12.7 ± 4.9 mL/m² , LA_max 30.5 ± 9.5 mL/m² ; biplane: LA_min 12.3 ± 4.5 mL/m² , LA_max 30.9 ± 8.7 mL/m² .

Data conclusion

Pediatric MRI reference values for atrial volumes have been provided.

Technical efficacy

2 EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4.